Draft: April 8, 2004

Approved: April 28, 2004

School Committee meeting April 7, 2004

Under Report of the Secretary

Business Meeting

Mr. Radtke, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.

Members present: Jonathan Radtke, Chairperson, Walter Rumery, Teri McRae (left meeting at approximately 9:30pm), Kim Matthews, Tae Chong, Otis Thompson, Stephen Spring, Ben Meiklejohn, James DiMillo

Report of the Chair

Mr. Radtke:

Congratulated teams from Portland Public Schools who participated in the Odyssey of the Mind competition on April 3, 2004 at Bates College:

Deering High School, Team A – first place in Strategy Sphere, Division III

Deering High School, Team A – first place in Featured Creature, Division III

Deering High School, Team B - second place in Fantastic Art, Division III

Deering High School, Team A - third place in Fantastic Art, Division III

Longfellow Elementary School, Team B - second place in Balancing Act, Division I

Announced a joint meeting of the City Finance Committee and the School Committee Finance Committee on Thursday, April 8^th, 5 p.m. at City Hall

Report of the Superintendent

Superintendent O’Connor:

Announced the resignation of Toni Buzzeo Longfellow/Library-Media Specialist, after 11 years in Portland, effective at the end of the academic year. Ms. Buzzeo will be pursuing her career in children’s books.
Announced that the Transportation Building Naming Committee has been formed and community suggestions are welcome. Suggestions are due by April 30, 2004 and can be submitted to Hank Dresch via email at dresch@portlandschools.org or by mail to 331 Veranda St., Portland.
Introduced Pam Clegghorn from the Maine Community Foundation who spoke to the Committee on a Fast Track Grant Program and scholarships that the Foundation offers.

Mr. Chong, who is a board member of the Foundation, encouraged juniors and seniors to look at the Foundation’s web site for scholarship information and staff to look at the various grants that are available.

Mr. Meiklejohn expressed appreciation to the Maine Community Foundation for the assistance the Foundation provides.

Report of Committees

East End Area School Building Committee – Mr. Rumery indicated that the bid for demolition of the building is $176,000 and demolition will begin the week of April 12^th. The demolition company plans to recycle all materials removed from the building. The Building Committee is looking at materials to be used on the exterior of the new building. RFP for construction will go out in the next 3-4 weeks.

Superintendent O’Connor indicated that pieces of Jack School would be preserved. Windows will be reused at the Reed St. warehouse, and furniture will be used in the new school.

Policy Committee - Mr. Meiklejohn indicated that the Policy Committee met on April 6^th and is bringing two policies to the Committee this evening for a first reading. The Policy Committee also (a) reviewed the policy regarding student representation on the School Committee which will be on the April 28^th agenda for a first reading; (b) discussed the Pledge of Allegiance and decided to wait until the Supreme Court rules on this issue. Mr. Meiklejohn indicated that a community member has asked what the School Committee’s opinion is regarding this issue and he asked School Committee members to let him know what their thoughts are regarding the pledge. At its next meeting the Policy Committee will begin a review of Chapter 127 and the issue of weighted grades will be discussed at a future meeting.

Finance Committee - Ms. Matthews indicated that the Finance Committee would be reviewing the FY05 budget with the School Committee.

Legislative Affairs Committee - Mr. Thompson indicated that the next meeting of this committee would be April 28, 2004 at 6 p.m.

Ms. McRae inquired about the status of LD1344. Superintendent O’Connor indicated that she had discussed this with Mr. Cummings who indicated it had initially passed in the House and was before them again for a second reading which he indicated might not pass and that it was still before the Senate.

Report of the Secretary

Ms. Matthews moved, seconded Mr. Spring and voted unanimously to approve the meeting minutes of the March 17, 2004 and March 24, 2004 meetings.

Consent Items - Superintendent O’Connor reviewed the donation and thanked the contributor.

Old Business - None

New Business

First reading of policies

Mr. Meiklejohn reviewed JRA- Student Education Records and Information and ECB – School Pest Management

Committee members discussed JRA :

· When would parents receive opt out letter? Mr. Meiklejohn indicated that the letter would be sent to parents at the beginning of the school year

· Concern was expressed regarding unfunded mandates and a request was made to indicate that policies are funded or unfunded and if policy revisions are of an existing policy or a new policy.

· Students view institutions of higher learning differently than recruiters. Is wording inconsistent around these two issues? Are there two releases – one for colleges/universities and one for recruiters? Mr. Meiklejohn indicated that federal law requires institutions of higher learning and recruiters to be handled in the same way.

· Expressed concern that students would not receive college information.

· There is a lot of college/university information available online to students.

· One member indicated that through research it was found that some school systems have other options on one form and suggested looking into this possibility.

· Asked if students are currently flagged as to whether or not their information is to be released. Michael Johnson, Portland High School principal, indicated that at PHS at the beginning of the year students take home a letter asking parents if they want information released – this letter must be returned and then a database is established indicated which students can and cannot have information released.

· Asked if form in proposed policy JRA would save staff time inputting information. Brenda Roy, Deering High School principal, indicated that it would save time at DHS. Michael Johnson indicated that if the policy as it stands were approved then PHS would need to change their current procedure, which is asking if parents do not want name released.

· Mr. Meiklejohn will contact the Policy Committee to inquire about having letter include military as well as institutions of higher learning. He indicated that NCLB allows students and parents to have the right to request that information not be released, that the letter could contain both items, and he will obtain a legal interpretation on this issue.

Michael Johnson indicated that he would like legal guidance around families, especially from war torn countries, being coeherced into joining the military.

Policy ECB: Mr. Meiklejohn indicated that the school department already follows pest management procedures.

Committee members discussed policy ECB:

There appears to be no connection in policy with public works and/or parks and rec and there needs to be a connection between these entities and the school department. Is there anything at the state level that would give the school department more responsibility of areas around schools that are not part of school property? Mr. Meiklejohn indicated that he has contacted parks and rec regarding this concern.
Asked what the cost would be to implement this policy. Mr. Stewart indicated that it would be less than previously estimated.

Consideration and action to accept the superintendent’s revised (March 11, 2004) FY05 budget

Ms. Matthews moved, seconded Mr. Chong to accept the superintendent’s revised (March 11, 2004) FY05 budget in the amount of 77,102,380.

Ms. Matthews provide an overview of the FY05 budget process.

The superintendent was asked to submit a needs based budget and to consider the following in developing the budget – Mission statement “Assuring that all students are learning for their future” and protocols established for the Budget Advisory Task Force – cuts shall have the least possible impact on students, all aspects of the budget shall stand up to the “all students” test (extra curricular, academics, transportation), all aspects of the budget shall demonstrate a commitment to educate students with a highly qualified teacher in a rigorous academic program, all buildings shall be healthy and safe places to learn.
Public budget meetings were held on March 4, 8 and 25, 2004; School Committee budget meetings were held December 10, 2003, March 17, 24 and 31, 2004; Budget Advisory Task Force meetings were held on February 10, 24 and March 18, 2004.
The School Finance Committee met with the City Finance Committee where the City Finance Committee indicated that the city would not accept a 5.7% increase. School Committee Finance Committee made suggested cuts to equal a budget in the amount of $77,102,380.

Committee members asked questions regarding the budget.

· Ms. McRae inquired about 5.5 classroom teachers being added at elementary schools. Elementary enrollment went down by approximately 70 and yet adding two teachers. Ms. Whynot-Vickers addressed the inquiry regarding these positions.

· Mr. Spring asked about Title I funding. Ms. Whynot-Vickers indicated that schools receive varying amounts depending on eligibility for funding.

Ms. McRae asked if Title I funding went down and what it might be next year. Ms. Whynot-Vickers indicated that we anticipate the same funding as this year. She indicated that Title I has specified guidelines for how funds can be used.

· Mr. Rumery supports budget. Asked if music positions are on cut list. He indicated his concern regarding cutting music to the point where the entire program might be cut. Superintendent O’Connor indicated that the Director of Music and one itinerant music teacher were on the list. She also mentioned that she met with the music teachers today (April 7^th). The music staff accepts the cuts to the program and have indicated that they feel they can do things differently with the remaining staff, i.e. reinstituting the 4^th grade strings program and a string option at grade 5.

· Mr. Meiklejohn asked what the impact would be to music staff with the elimination of the Director of Music position. Superintendent O’Connor indicated that Dana Allen would be working with the music teachers.

· Mr. Thompson – suggested that the Committee ask clarifying questions and discuss the budget later.

· Ms. McRae inquired about the social studies position at the high school level. Superintendent O’Connor indicated that the original request was for 2.3 positions, but that request has now been reduced to one position. Mr. Johnson, principal, and Mr. Allen, Assistant Superintendent, addressed this question.

Superintendent O’Connor addressed the Committee regarding the proposed FY05 budget mentioning that the Committee had met on two occasions with students to discuss their educational needs; 56 positions were cut for 2003-04 and the previous year 20+ positions. Feels the budget is not restrictive or extravagant, but going in the right direction.

Public Comment:

John Fenton, Chairperson, Family Living and Sexuality Advisory Board, addressed the Committee regarding this program. Superintendent O’Connor indicated that there were not cuts anticipated to this program.

Austin Chute, student, addressed the Committee regarding the music program cuts.

Kathleen Casasa, PEA president, addressed the Committee regarding PEA’s suggestions regarding the budget.

Jill Blackwood addressed the Committee regarding the elementary foreign language program.

8:50 p.m. - Committee took a 5 minute recess

8:55 p.m. – Mr. Radtke called the meeting back to order

Mr. Meiklejohn moved to reduce $10,000 from 5801 – Staff travel.

Mr. Radtke indicated that a separate motion would be needed for each item.

Mr. Meiklejohn moved, seconded Mr. Spring to appeal the decision of the Chairperson to increase/decrease the budget to keep the same amount.

Mr. Thompson indicated that it becomes difficult when the Board deviates from the parliamentary process, feels it is prudent to stay within parliamentary procedure.

Ms. McRae and Ms. Matthews indicated that it is difficult to vote when increase/decreases are in the same motion.

Mr. Meiklejohn and Mr. Spring withdrew the motion to overrule the Chairperson.

Mr. Meiklejohn moved, seconded Ms. McRae and voted 2-7 to restore into the budget one itinerant music educator. (Motion fails)

Mr. Meiklejohn spoke to the motion.

Mr. Thompson thanked the superintendent and staff for their work on the budget and expressed his concern regarding the music program.

Mr. Rumery and Mr. Radtke indicated that they do not agree with restoring this position.

Mr. Radtke indicated that it is important to have as robust a music program as the school department can offer and he supports giving tools to teachers to do this job.

Committee returned to main motion on the floor.

Mr. Thompson – budget is too small. Last year King Middle School students requested a dishwasher and plastic trays – what is status? Superintendent O’Connor indicated that if, at end of this school year, there is money left over it consideration would be given to their request.

There is a very diverse student population at Portland High School and he would like to see classes offered to culturally assimilate students.

Staff has been reduced several times. Federal and state expectations are increasing and funds are less and less. Staff and schools need to have a number of things in order to accomplish the mission statement.

Mr. Rumery – cannot desert students, we are diverse. Budget falls within a range that he can support. Thanked staff and union members for dialogue around the budget. For example, Portland Public Schools is looking at regionalizing in some areas.

Mr. Spring – supports budget and doing school differently. Would like to find a way to meet the many different needs of schools in Portland. Also suggested possibility of starting on budget process earlier in the fall.

Ms. McRae – unable to support budget due to percentage of increase.

Mr. Chong – doing the best job for students that we can even with monies being cut. Important to support students.

Mr. Meiklejohn – has reservations with budget timeline and would request additional 2-3 weeks before giving budget to City Council.

Ms. Matthews – in favor of budget. City Council has final decision on the School Committee’s budget. She suggested that citizens contact their City Councilors regarding the education budget at any of the following meetings – April 13^th, 7:30 p.m. King Middle School café., April 14^th, 7:00pm Deering High School café., April 26^th City Finance meeting, City Hall and May 3^rd, first reading of budget with public comment.

Mr. DiMillo – feels the budget percentage is too high

Mr. Radtke – supports the budget and thanked School Committee members whose task is to provide education to children and to insure that the district is well managed.

Vote on main motion: It was voted 7-1 to accept the superintendent’s revised (March 11, 2004) FY05 budget in the amount of 77,102,380.

Committee focus on educational issues - No items for discussion

Public Comment Prior to 11:00 PM - No members of the public addressed the Committee.

Ms. Matthews moved, seconded Mr. Thompson and voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 9:51 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Jo O’Connor

Superintendent of Schools